Outrage continues to mount in Nigeria as citizens condemn the approval of N3 billion for the verification of the register for poor people by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, expressed his dismay, emphasizing that such allocations are a reflection of the country’s unique challenges.
Obi voiced his concerns on Wednesday, drawing attention to the sorry state of the national library and the meager budget it received in the 2024 appropriation act. He criticized the approval, stating that it is a stark example of misplaced priorities and could only happen in Nigeria.
The controversy stems from a memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, indicating President Bola Tinubu’s approval of N3 billion to verify the register of poor Nigerians. However, the suspended minister, Betta Edu, who received the approval, disbursed the funds to companies, some of which were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Further revelations unfolded when a memo from Edu requested the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to transfer N585 million into a personal account for the “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups.” Edu denied any wrongdoing, citing no existing law forbidding such actions.
Amid the uproar over the illegal request, Edu, the suspended minister, faced additional scrutiny for approving substantial amounts of money for flight tickets to Kogi State, despite the absence of an airport. Documents revealed that the minister and her team traveled by road to Kogi State, collecting over N72 million, with no explanation provided for the approval.
As the suspended minister undergoes grilling at the anti-graft agency, Obi criticized the allocation, stating, “It is very surprising to hear that the sum of N3 billion was approved for verification of the national register of the poor. This can only happen in Nigeria.” He emphasized the need to address the issue of governance costs urgently.
The former vice-presidential candidate highlighted the stark contrast between the N3 billion allocated for the verification of the poverty register and the N908,699,435 budgeted for the National Library. Obi argued that such a significant amount, if managed transparently, could have a more substantial impact, especially considering the nation’s critical infrastructure challenges.
In questioning the approval, Obi raised concerns about the irregular verification of poverty alleviation data. He urged leaders to prioritize expenditure and focus on critical areas of national development and security. Emphasizing the need to address the challenges of poverty, he concluded, “Unless we begin to sacrifice our personal comfort for the good of society, our nation will continue to grapple with all forms of societal ills caused by high levels of poverty.”
